And lots of great points are being made… about the need for these neighborhood resources, providing accessibility to books and the internet for all residents regardless of income, providing social gathering spots and places of refuge from the neighborhood violence in some parts of Oakland, providing a suite of services and resources that once were offered by public schools but now have been cut from there as well. The list goes on and on, and these are all incredibly important points.

But what I don’t hear anyone talking about is the Temescal TOOL Lending Library.

I have to admit that this is my most frequently visited branch/service of the entire Oakland Public Library system. They know me by name, and I know most of theirs as I see them nearly weekly.

I’ve always liked fixing/building/making things. I was a born DIY’er before the term DIY even existed. You can see this was either instilled early (by my grandfather – pipe in mouth), or perhaps just came naturally, by this photo of my first home building project (I think I was 6).

For those who don’t know, and I’m always amazed when I meet folks who don’t, this is an incredible resource exclusively dedicated to Oakland residents. Modeled after the tool lending library in Berkeley, they house thousands of tools that can be “rented” FREE of charge for short periods of time. Everything you need to tend to your home and garden (carpentry & woodworking, concrete & masonry, electrical, floor & wall, garden & digging, ladders/dollies/handtrucks/wheelbarrows, mechanical & power, plumbing, etc.) plus books and how-to videos.

I think I’ve checked out tools in nearly every one of those categories from the early days in 2000 (this was when renovating my loft in West Oakland, photo left) to more recent projects on the home here in Dimond (photo right).

This arm of the Temescal Branch library was launched in January of 2000 (thanks to seed money from a Community Development Block Grant). It was an outgrowth of a small “Home Resources Collection” established at this branch after the Oakland Hills Firestorm of 1991 to help residents with rebuilding and repairs following the disaster.

And it just makes sense. In a dense urban environment where homes are frequently smallish apartments or “cottage” houses (read small!), who’s got the space to store all the things you need to care for your home? And more importantly, who wants to shell out the cash (tools are expensive!) for something you may use once or twice a year??

I LOVE the Temescal Tool Lending Library! Please help save it.

According to the budget proposals currently being considered, the following library branches and resources would be slated for closure:

Tell your friends and neighbors about the devastating funding cuts to libraries – Ask 10 of your friends to call or write the Mayor and City Council. Like the Save Oakland Library page on Facebook.

Share your library experiences with city officials – Make sure that Oakland’s mayor, city manager, and city council know what libraries mean to you and your community.

Attend Oakland City Council meetings – We need a big turnout. Bring signs supporting libraries. Bring children who love libraries. Request to speak. Speaker cards can be requested online one week in advance at the Office of the City Clerk page. Next meetings 6/7 and 6/21 at 5:30pm

Contact newspapers, radio stations, TV stations and local blogs – Call the media and ask if they are covering the proposed Oakland library closings. When you read related news coverage, write a letter to the editor with thanks and a message about why Oakland’s public libraries are needed

I didn’t know you were DIYer, too. My other blog is DIY Insanity (http://diyinsanity.blogspot.com). I haven’t blogged as much recently since the addition and remodel are (pretty much mostly almost) done.

Thanks Gene! I came across your DIY blog when doing research on rainwater collection systems (Groupon had a deal on this really cool modular thing, but even w/ the deal it was too $$$)… I’ll try to pop in more frequently ;)

If you ever need a tool for longer than the tool library will let you keep it, or they’re not open, let me know. I’ve got all sorts of fun things (including a drywall lift that I’ll probably donate to the tool library at some point, if they want it.)

Thank you for this post!! I can speak for all the staff at the Tool Library when I say we love our jobs, we love this service and we love our patrons. You are all fun, patient, kind and enthusiastic and serving you is a real pleasure.

I just wanted to comment on your wonderful post! Thanks so much for helping get the word out about the possible closing of the Oakland Tool Library, you clearly put a great deal of research into this blog post, & I especially like the photo of you building your first (was it your first?) house. We all here at TLL appreciate your work & your patronage.